Springs Wins Seesaw Match Vs. Boynton

DELAND — The North Springs Little League All-Stars rose to their biggest challenge yet in a state tournament game Sunday against West Boynton Beach at Bill Page Field.

After its 2-0 lead vanished when West Boynton struck for three runs in the top of the sixth, the Coral Springs squad surged back in its half of the inning with two runs and a 4-3 victory.

As a result, the Coral Springs team is one win away from playing for the state championship.

With pinch runner Brandon Blair on first base and two outs, Greg Povlow hit a grounder to the right side that eluded a lunging Tim Walsh for a single. Blair headed to third base and, when the throw was errant, he raced home with the decisive run.

Steven Garitty led off the inning with a double and later scored the tying run on a single to center by Cullen Montgomery.

"This was a real test of their heart and desire to overcome adversity," manager Mike Burzesi said. "They fought back, never gave up and now they have a chance to accomplish something big."

North Springs (8-0) can clinch the South Section title and a berth in Tuesday's state championship game with a victory over Land O' Lakes National tonight at 7.

The District 10 and Section 2 champions wasted little time taking charge offensively against West Boynton (9-2).

Daniel Sprusansky and A.J. Bergman ripped back-to-back doubles with only one out in the first inning to spark a 2-0 advantage.

That appeared to be all Bergman would need on the mound. He did not allow a hit until Cody Dent reached on an infield single in the fourth inning.

Before tiring in the sixth, Bergman struck out nine and scattered four hits. At one stretch, he retired 10 of 11 batters.

"A.J. was phenomenal out there today," Burzesi said. "That [West Boynton] is a good hitting ball club and he really took control against them."

Mike Stemle delivered the critical hit for West Boynton during the comeback with a two-run single to left. Dent started the inning with a double as the Palm Beach team sent eight batters to the plate.

North Springs (South) and East Orange (North) emerged from Sunday's action as the only remaining undefeated teams in the tournament. East Orange, a 10-0 winner over Destin, can also advance to the finals with a victory today.